Change Your Apple ID Email on Any Device

You can change the email address linked to your Apple ID through the Apple ID website, on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer. The fastest route is usually the web version at appleid.apple.com, which takes about five minutes. On a phone or tablet, the process is nearly identical but buried one or two menus deeper. Whichever device you use, you will need to know your current Apple ID password and have access to a recovery email address — Apple sends a confirmation code there before the change goes live.

The email you choose becomes your new login for the App Store, iCloud, FaceTime, Messages, and any other Apple service tied to that account. If you are changing because you no longer use the old email, plan to keep it active for at least a few days after the change, because Apple may send a security notification there. Once the new email is confirmed, you can delete the old one from your account if you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Apple ID email on the web at appleid.apple.com, on iPhone or iPad in Settings, or on a Mac in System Settings — all three methods work equally well.
  • Apple will send a confirmation code to your recovery email address, so you must have access to that email before you start the change.
  • Your new email becomes your login for all Apple services when ready after you confirm it, but the old email stays on your account for a few days as a security measure.
  • If you forget your password during the process, you can reset it using your recovery email or a trusted phone number before attempting the change again.

Change Your Apple ID Email on the Web

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Apple ID email and password. Once you are logged in, click "Account" at the top of the page, then look for the "Personal Information" section. You should see your current email listed as your Apple ID. Click "Edit" next to it.

A dialog box will appear asking you to enter a new email address. Type the email you want to use instead. Apple will then send a six-digit code to your recovery email address — the backup email you set up when you created your Apple ID. Check that email inbox (including spam or promotions folders) and enter the code into the box on the Apple ID website. Once you submit the code, your new email becomes your Apple ID when ready.

If you do not see a recovery email on your account, or if you cannot access it, you will need to add one before you can change your Apple ID email. Go back to "Personal Information," find the "Recovery Email" field, and add an email address you can reach. Apple will send a confirmation code there — enter it to set up the recovery email, then return to changing your main Apple ID email.

Change Your Apple ID Email on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Tap "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" (or just "Personal Information" on older iOS versions). You will see your current Apple ID email listed. Tap "Edit" in the upper right corner of the screen.

Tap the email address field and delete the current email, then type your new one. Tap "Done" in the upper right. Apple will send a confirmation code to your recovery email address. Open the email app on your phone or another device, find the message from Apple, and copy the six-digit code. Return to Settings, paste the code into the prompt, and tap "Verify." Your new email is now active.

If you do not have a recovery email set up, tap "Add Recovery Email" in the Personal Information section before you attempt to change your main email. The process is the same: Apple sends a code, you enter it, and the recovery email is confirmed. After that, you can change your Apple ID email using the steps above.

Change Your Apple ID Email on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click "General" in the sidebar, then click your name at the top of the main panel. You may need to unlock this section by clicking the lock icon and entering your Mac password.

Look for "Personal Information" or "Account" and find your Apple ID email. Click "Edit" next to it. Delete the current email and type your new one, then click "Done." Apple will send a confirmation code to your recovery email. Open Mail or check that email in a web browser, copy the code, and return to System Settings. Paste the code into the prompt and click "Verify." Your new email is now your Apple ID.

Change Your Apple ID Email on Windows

Open iCloud for Windows (if you have it installed) or go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser. If you are using the website, sign in and click "Account," then "Personal Information," and follow the steps in the web section above. If you are using iCloud for Windows, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Account Details." Find your Apple ID email, click "Edit," and enter your new email address.

Apple will send a confirmation code to your recovery email. Check that email inbox and copy the code. Return to iCloud for Windows or the Apple ID website, paste the code into the prompt, and click "Verify." Your new email is now active. If you use iCloud for Windows to sync photos, contacts, or calendars, you may need to sign out and sign back in with your new email for those services to work smoothly.

What to Do If You Cannot Access Your Recovery Email

If you set up a recovery email years ago and no longer have access to it, you will need to update it before you can change your main Apple ID email. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click "Account," then "Personal Information," and look for "Recovery Email." Click "Edit" and add a new recovery email address that you can access right now. Apple will send a confirmation code to that new email — enter it to set up it.

Once your recovery email is confirmed, you can proceed with changing your main Apple ID email using any of the methods above. If you cannot remember your Apple ID password and do not have access to your recovery email, you will need to reset your password first. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email, and choose to reset your password using a trusted phone number or a different recovery method Apple offers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not change your Apple ID email and then when ready delete the old email from your account. Apple keeps the old email linked for a few days as a security measure, and removing it too quickly can cause problems with account recovery if something goes wrong. Wait at least three to five days before deleting the old email.

Do not assume your new email is active until you have entered the confirmation code. The change is not complete just because you typed the new email address — you must receive and enter the code Apple sends to your recovery email. If you do not see the code within a few minutes, check your spam folder or wait a few more minutes and request a new code.

Do not use an email address that is already tied to another Apple ID. Each email can only be linked to one Apple ID at a time. If you want to use an email that belongs to a different Apple ID, you will need to remove it from that account first, wait a few minutes, and then add it to your current account.

What Happens After You Change Your Email

Your new email becomes your login for the App Store, iCloud, FaceTime, Messages, and Find My when ready. If you are signed into Apple services on other devices, you do not need to sign out and sign back in — those devices will continue to work. However, if you sign out of an app or service and try to sign back in, you must use your new email address, not the old one.

If you use your Apple ID email to recover your account, make sure you update any saved passwords in your browser or password manager. Some people store their Apple ID login in their browser's autofill, and the old email will no longer work. You can also set up a trusted phone number as a backup recovery method, which does not change when you update your email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Apple ID email if I do not have a recovery email?

No. You must have a recovery email address on file before you can change your main Apple ID email. If you do not have one, add it first by going to appleid.apple.com, clicking "Personal Information," and entering a recovery email. Apple will send a confirmation code to that email — enter it to set up it. Then you can change your main email.

What if I do not receive the confirmation code?

Check your spam or promotions folder first — the code email sometimes lands there. If you still do not see it after five minutes, go back to the email change screen and request a new code. If you still do not receive anything, make sure your recovery email address is correct by checking it on appleid.apple.com. If the address is wrong, update it and try again.

Can I use my old email address again after I change it?

Yes, but not when ready. You must wait at least a few days after changing your Apple ID email before you can use the old email for a different Apple ID or service. Apple keeps the old email linked to your account briefly as a security measure. After that waiting period, you can remove it from your account and use it elsewhere.

Do I need to update my email on all my devices?

No. Once you change your Apple ID email, it updates across all your devices automatically. You do not need to sign out and sign back in unless you want to. However, if you use your Apple ID email to log into apps or services outside of Apple, you will need to update those manually.

What if I change my mind and want to change it back?

You can change your Apple ID email as many times as you want using the same process. Go to appleid.apple.com, click "Personal Information," click "Edit" next to your email, enter your old email address, and confirm it with the code Apple sends to your recovery email. The change takes effect when ready.